Top Rankings
Laurens 55 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in South Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 2,982 students in Laurens 55 School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in South Carolina.
Public Preschools in Laurens 55 School District have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the South Carolina public pre school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 48% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public preschool average of 54% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (SC)
# Schools
9 Schools
578 Schools
# Students
5,206 Students
307,049 Students
# Teachers
419 Teachers
22,837 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Laurens 55 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 74 school districts in South Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 81% has increased from 80% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#59 out of 74 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
43%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
50%
Graduation Rate
81%
84%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.64
0.67
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
17%
14%
% Black
28%
32%
% White
51%
46%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,732 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,220. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,865 is less than the state median of $14,817. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$77 MM
$12,084 MM
Spending
$72 MM
$11,764 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,732
$15,220
Spending / Student
$13,865
$14,817
Best Laurens 55 School District Public Preschools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
10457 Highway 221 South
Waterloo, SC 29384
(864) 677-5610
Waterloo, SC 29384
(864) 677-5610
Grades: PK-5
| 257 students
Rank: #22.
Hickory Tavern Elementary Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
163 Neely Ferry Road
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Grades: PK-8
| 621 students
Rank: #33.
Laurens Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 Henry Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3067
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3067
Grades: PK-5
| 499 students
Rank: #44.
E. B. Morse Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 Parkview Drive
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-7777
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-7777
Grades: PK-5
| 432 students
Rank: #55.
Gray Court-owings Elementary Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
9210 Highway 14
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Grades: PK-8
| 755 students
Rank: #66.
Ford Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 Lucas Avenue
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3986
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3986
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.